Means for shaping and drying fabric articles



Jan. 12,1926I" v "1,569,283

A. W. JOHNSON MEANS FOR SHAPING AND DRYING FABRIC ARTICLES Original Filed April 28, 1920 2 Sheets-Shoot 1 "-Jan.12,19'26. 1,569,283

A. W. JOHNSON MEANS FOR SHAPING AND DRYING FABRIC ARTICLES Original Filed April 28, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented J an. 12, 1926.

U N l'TE D ST ATfigs,

1,569,283 PATENT pence.

' ARTHUR wlaonusoltor MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin, ASSIGNOKHIQ RADLE K T mG 00., or nELEvnN, WISCONSIN; A LGQRBQRATIONOF WI C I MEANS SHABING AND DBING annie narrows- Original applieation filed April 28, 1920, Serial lie-2377,2 89.

Patent K9. 1,425,969. Divided and this application ,filed December 16,11 921. Serial no. 522,850;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR WV. J OHNSON, a citizen of the United S ates, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Visconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Means for Shaping and Drying Fabric Articles, of which the followingis a iull, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to the art of finishing fabric articles of manufacture and is concerned more particularly with improved means for shaping and drying fabric articles, especially knitted gloves, hosiery and the like.

As pointed out in my co-pending application, Serial ,No. 377,289, filed April 28, 1920, and upon which Patent 1,425,969 was granted August 15, 1922, in finishing'various fabrics, especially knitted articles,.they are put through whatis commonly known as a shaping or drying process, which consists in arranging the article in a moist condition upon a form and drying the article to shape. The aforesaid application is especially directed to. an arrangement for positioning the article upon the form, maintaining the same-properly positioned during the shaping and drying process and then releasing the article upon completion of such process.

The presentapplication is a division of the application above referred to andhas to do with thel orm for and method of shaping and drying disclosed therein. Yl hilethe. in vention disclosed in this application is especially adapted for use with the arrangement to which the parent application is directed and isillustrated in connection therewitlnit will be understood that the features of the invention hereinafter claimed are capable of wider and more general use.

An object of my present invention is the provision of an improved drying process, which consists in arranging the article upon ashaping form, conveying adrying, medium into the form and then discharging the same through the fabric of the article arranged thereupon, leaving the fabric in a better condition than heretofore. The drying medium is preferably fed directly into the conduct ing or receiving chamber formed withinthe form wh s -.ma .e..up a cor i g t the form which it is desired that the finished article should have. There are no feed pipes xt din .i p l m g t elfo m- Another object of m invention is the provision of a' form of improved mechanical o s ruction: A

(A fu he Qbj q of y nye o i th P Z Q Oi yiQ iQf hisp o t, ha n t onal ad ant g Ove t e e ice -bi the prio ar A st ll f the o jec my n en n is the .p oy s qn d a s mple, i ii fa d 1 par-itively inexpensive device.

Furth pbje ts an yanta of my inven'fion will appear from the ollowing ,dea d d c p i and the sla m ake 'wit an inspec io h cc ii pe yingflmw ings, in which:

Figure 1 is a sideelevational View of an a r ngem m odying y ent o Fig. 2 is afront elevational .view of the same; i

Fig. 3 isa horizontal cross sectional view 7 taken on'the lime-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. A: is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line {1-4: c i 2; an

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 55 of Fig.2.

I'have considered it conducive to a clear understanding of my invention to illustrate primarily the apparatus for shaping and drying a particular knitted article, and

while I have taken a knitted glove or mitten a an xampl it i to e under too a ready pointed out that the invention is capable of wider and more general use.

To shape and dry thefknitted article a s api g m 1 ad pt gb heated from within to any desiredtemperature is used.

This form 1 comprises a'pair of supplemental form sections2 and 3 cast or otherwise suitably fashioned preferably of. aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The section 3 comprises a back portion having upwardly xten ing fin P r n .s 1 a in hev back of ahand and adownwardlyextending semi circnlar portion 5 whichupon arrangement of the form sections together supplements 1a. cooperating1v semicircular portion 6 extending downwa r form a. c ndu r con eying th heate u .intathe d m helse' qn include i .ies d tign; t ,the'

y from thesection 2, to

downwardly extending semi-circular conduit forming portion 6, a palm portion 7 having upwardly extending finger portions 8, staggered with respectto the finger portions 4 as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 to provide a lapped formation or arrangement of the finished glove as will be hereinafter apparcut. The adjacent edges of the finger portions 4 and 8 are provided with inwardly extending abutting flanges 9 and 10, respectively, which cooperate to form in effect, vertical bafllcs through the fingers of the glove upon arrangement of the same upon the form. An even and highly effective distribution of the heating medium through the finger portions of the glove or mitten 18 thereby secured. Cooperating flanged portions or prongs 11 and 12, carried adjacent the upper ends of the finger portions 4 and 8, respectively, provide for aligning the form sections so that they may be properly secured together. These flanged or pronged portions in addition restrict the discharge of the heating fluid through the ends of the fingers of the glove. The opposite edges 13 of the palm and back portions of the sec tions 2 and 3, respectively, are curved inwardly into abutting engagement as shown in Figure 1.

Openings 14, distributed through the walls of the form sections 2 and 3 permit the heated'air, steam or other fluid conveyed to. the internal conducting channel 15 defined by the form sections to pass out therefrom and through the fabric of the glove 16 (Fig. 4) or other article arranged upon the form to dry the same. This direct discharge of the heating fluid through the fabric of the glove leaves the fabric in an excellent condition. Tntegral longitudinally arranged flanges or webs 19 carried by and projecting from the internal faces of the sections 2 and 3 serve as baflles for distributing the heated fluid properly through the form. Transversely arranged webs 17 retard the flow of the heated fluid through the conduit portion of the form sufficiently to adequate- 1y heat and properly dry the gauntlet portion 18 of the glove.

An independent thumb section 20 is attached to the palm portion of the form section 2, as by means of suitable machine screws 21 or the like, threaded into suitable bosses 23 carried by the section 2 and projecting in the channel 15 when the form sections are secured together. The heads of the screws 21 are countersunk so that they will be substantially flush with or within the outer surface of the form. The heated fluid is conveyed from the internal conducting channel 15, into the hollow thumb section 20 by way of the openings 14 provided through the palm portion of the section 2 ad jaeent the thumb section. The section 20 is provided with a substantially centrally disposed web 24 arranged transversely be tween the front and back walls thereof. Openings 25 distributed through the web 24 provide for distributing the heat evenly and effectively through the fabric of the thumb 26 of the glove 16.

The" sections 2 and 3 are secured together by means of suitable machine screws 27 or the like which may be threaded into suitable bosses 28 projecting from the respective form sections as shown or otherwise in serted. A ring or annulus 29 embracing the cooperating conduit forming portions 5 and 6 of the sections adjacent their terminations in the palm and back portions of the form aids in securing the sections together, and in addition, forms a stripper for releasing the article upon completion of the shaping and drying process.

The ring or annulus 29 is counterbored to provide a co-axial pocket 30 for the reception of the fabric engaging portion of the positioning and position maintaining member. This member comprises a sleeve 31 slidably mounted upon the downwardly extending conduit forming portions of the form and secured adjacent its lower end as by means of suitable rivets or the like between the forked arms of an actuating yoke 32. The yoke 32 is fixedly mounted upon the upper end of an operating rod 33, the lower end of which rod is connected with a foot operated treadle 34 adapted for movement about a pivot 35 to move the member 31 up or down, as desired, along the cooperating conduit portions 5 and 6 of the form.

Within its length the rod 33 operates between a pair of plates 36, the inner surfaces of which are faced with a fibrous or other suitable friction material. The plates 36 are clamped in engagement with the rod 33 by means of a pair of threaded stems or screws 37, the free ends of which engage in suitable nuts (not shown). A coiled spring is interposed between each nut and the adj acent plate 36 as fully disclosed in my hereinbefore referred to application and resulting patent of which this is a division. The plates 36 are carried by a flange 38 depending from a mounting base 39, the contact or frictional engagement between the opposed faces of the plates 36 and the rod 33 maintaining the rod positively against displace ment from any position into which the rod is adjusted or moved by the treadle The mounting base 39 is mounted upon a table or other suitable form supporting surface 40 beneath or otherwise suitably positioned relative which a fluid conveying conduit 41 is arranged for conveying the heated air, steam or the like to, for example, a number of forms arranged along the table. An upright conduit 42 communicating with the conduit 41 at its lower end extends up in-- to open semen/laminat n, w th a bor prov ded through. the horizont ly rrange p i n of the mounting base 39., The base 39 is provided with an integral upwardl extending s mir u a ffiang .13 encircl ng su stantia -ly one ha of e bo e ther hr ugh, The lower ends of the cooperating conduit rmi g po tions 5 and 6 of th f rm e clampedby means f suita e bolts 4 etween the" flange 4,3 and a cooperating clamping ring 45. Thus, the heated air, S eam .or other fluid is fed directly into the interior of the mold 1 from the supply line 41.

The sleeve 31 is provided with openings 50 so that the passage of heated fluid through the openings 14 will not be interfered with. The upper end of the sleeve is provided with an annular portion of increased diameter, which annular portion is embraced by a fabric engaging element 51 in the nature of a sheet metal ring secured thereto as by means of suitable rivets and provided With a lower serrated fabric engaging edge 52. The; annular portion of increased diameter adjacent the upper end of the sleeve 31 spaces the fabric engaging element therefrom slightly so that the lower end of the knitted article will be positively and effectively engaged by the serrated edge 52 upon the downward movement of the p.0- sit-ioning member. The continuity of the fabric engaging element about the form provides for engagement with the article completely about the inner periphery thereot,

The-knitted article is positioned and maintained positively during the shaping or drying processas follows: The mitten, for example, is arranged loosely upon the form substantially :as shown ,infulllines in Fig ure 4. The forward portionof the foot operated treadle 34 is then depressed, moving the sleeve 31 downwardly through the rod 33 alongthe conduit portion 56 ofthe form 1 This downward movement of the sleeve 31-;fi-rst causes, engagement of the serrated edge 52 :of the fabric engaging member carried thereby with the interior face of the fabric adjacent the lower end of the glove 16, further downward movement of the sleeve thereupon stretching the glove to the desired dimension (determined by the nove nent ofthe.trcadle 34) or in other words, further downward movement of the sleeve 311properlypositions the glove upon the form as shown in dotted lines. Upon positioning the glove as desired, the foot is removed from the treadle 34:, and the frictional engagement of the faced plates 36 positively maintains the glove in position during the drying thereof.

The heated air or other drying fluid conveyed from the conduit 41 to the internal conducting channel 15 of the form passes it is arranged loosely upon the form and adapted for convenient removal.

In order to insure proper drylng of the lower edge of the glove, I have provided a plurality of grooves or passages (30 (Fig.

3) in the-inner peripheries ,of the clamping brackets 43 and 4:5 for com'eying heating fluid from the upright conduit 42 to the lower edge of the glove. To permit passage of some ofthe heating, fluid into grooves 60, a slight space may be provided between the upper end of conduit 42 and the lower ends of conduit forming portions 5 and 6 as shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 or suitable port openings may be provided for this purpose.

In practice, I find that the sectional formation of the form which I have devised, facilitates formation of the interior conducting channel therein, free from flaws and other defects. This has been a considerazble practical .dilliculty with the prior art devices. Shrinkage thegmetal around the core has heretofore prevented proper removal of the same. Furthermore, shifting ofthe mold has heretofore been frequent and-inconsistent wall thicknesses and blows common, "My intention overcomes such disadvantages Sheet metal forms donot possess the desired rigidity and have proven otherNviseunsati-sfactory.

The oflset [arrangement of the ,finger portions of the'form section gives a adesirahle lap formation to the fingers of the finished glove.

I do notkintend to be limited to the precise details shown and described.

I claim: I

.1. In combination, ,a :form section having a portion simulatingL-the palm of a hand and semi-circular extending portion, a supplemental form section having a :portion simulating the back of a hand and a semicircular extending portion supplementing the semi-circular extending portlon of said first form section to form a conduit for conveying a drying fluid into an internal chamber formed by said form section, the walls of the form sections having outlet openings for discharging the drying fluid from said internal chamber therethrough, a

mounting base adapted to receive the cooperating semi-circular extending portions of the form, said mounting base permitting a flow of drying fluid along the outside of the form to dry the adjacent portions of the article.

In combination, a form having an internal chamber for the reception of a drying medium and having perforations to permit passage of the drying medium out through the form from said chamber, an entrance passage for the introduction of the drying medium into said chamber and means in the entrance portion of the form and common to a plurality of perforations for retarding the introduction of said medium to provide an adequate supply to the portions adjacent the entrance.

3. In combination, a hollow perforated form, means for supplying a drying medium thereinto, said form having transversely arranged balile means in the entrance portion thereof and common to a'plurality of perforations for retarding the introduction of said drying medium.

4:. In combination, a hollow form, means for supplying a drying medium thereinto, said form having baffle means arranged therein for distributing the drying medium therethrough and bafile means normal to and adjacent said first baffle means for retarding the drying medium at the entrance of the form.

5. In combination, a hollow form, a conduit portion for conveying a drying medium thereinto, and a mounting for receiving the conduit portion, said mounting having means for permitting the passage of some of the drying medium about the conduit portion.

('3. In combination, a hollow form, a conduit forming portion for conveying a drying medium thereinto, and a mounting base having a bore for receiving the conduit forming portion and having grooves in the internal surface of the bore for permitting passage of some of the drying medium up about the conduit forming portion.

7. In combination, a hollow form, a conduit forming portion for conveying a drying medium thereinto, and a mounting base having sectionalized clamping means for clamping the form and a bore opening into the form, said bore having grooves in its internal surface for permitting passage of some of the drying medium up about the conduit forming portion.

8. In a glove drying form, a palm finger portion, a back finger portion staggered relative said palm finger portion and constituting therewith a form finger, and a lateral wall separating and forming a baffle between said staggered back and palm finger portions.

9. In a glove drying form, a palm finger portion, a back finger portion staggered relatire said palm finger portion and constituting therewith a form finger, a lateral wall separating and forming a baffle between said staggered back and palm finger portions, and means at the outer ends of said staggered linger portions for aligning said portions and retarding the flow of drying medium out through the end thereof.

10. In a glove drying form, palm and back portions having supplemental conduit forming extensions and projecting finger por- Lions, each form finger comprising a pair of linger portions staggered relative each other and having co-operating flanges at their adjacent edges.

11. In a glove drying form, a palm member having projecting finger portions, a back member having projecting finger portions staggered relative said first finger portions, the finger portions of one of said members having lateral flanges at the thumb side thereof and lateral flanges at the opposite sides of the finger portion of the other member co-operating with the lateral flanges of said first finger portion.

12. In form of the class described, palm and back form members defining an internal chamber for the reception of a drying medium, said members being perforated to permit passage of the drying medium therethrough and having supplemental conduit forming extensions, finger portions projecting from the palm member, finger portions projecting from the back member and staggered relative said first finger portions, lateral flanges at the thumb sides of the finger portions of one member, co-operating lateral flanges at the opposite sides of the finger portions of the other member, and cooperating lugs at the outer end of the pairs of staggered finger portions for aligning same and retarding the fiow of drying medium up through the end thereof.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 12th day of December, 1921.

A. W. JOHNSON.

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